Man charged with murder of mother and son

West Midlands Police said Aaron Barley, of no fixed abode, is accused of killing Tracey Wilkinson and her son Pierce and faces a charge of attempting to murder the boy’s father, Peter.

Mrs Wilkinson was pronounced dead at her home in Stourbridge, West Midlands, on Thursday after suffering stab injuries, while her son was pronounced dead after being taken to hospital.

Barley, aged 23, will appear before magistrates in Birmingham today.

Mrs Wilkinson’s husband Peter, who also suffered stab wounds, remains in a stable condition in hospital.

Mrs Wilkinson, aged 50, her 47-year-old husband and their son were found injured at their home in Greyhound Lane, Norton, at about 8am.

News of the charges emerged after the executive headteacher of Pierce’s school paid tribute to the teenager.

Stephen Dunster, of Stourbridge’s Redhill School, said: “Pierce was a loyal, caring and conscientious pupil who will be sadly missed by all members of our school community. He always met everyone with a smile and was a kind and thoughtful young man.

“He was a loving son and brother. Our thoughts and prayers remain with his family, in particular his father Peter and his sister Lydia.”